Alderbrook Lodge has always been one of the Hood Canal’s crown jewels and has been here since 1913, when people used to take a steamer ship out of Seattle and come here. It was basically a tent camp back then. The rich history has transformed over the years. Bringing a lot of Seattle natives back here with the memories of the childhood they spent playing on the grass and swimming in the water.
My own personal history with the resort take me back to when I was a little girl, my mom would drive us around the curvy road that runs along the water of the Hood Canal, I always felt like I was in another world, with the Olympic Mountains close enough to almost touch. It is a drive as I got older I would take when I needed to clear my mind.
As soon as we would go through the
Tahuya State park and campground I knew the next thing to cast my eyes on would be the Alderbrook Lodge. Even before the remodel, it was something that was magical like it was straight out of Hollywood. My Great Uncle Ernie lived across the water from the lodge and it was always fun to be able to watch people playing on the grass and in the water. My whole life I have had dreams of staying there.
Well dreams come true..... The past week on this adventure I brought one of my best girlfriends Stephanie. We were able to do a girls weekend. It was a much needed break for the crazy lives we both lead. Especially Stephanie who is a mom of three, a wife to a fire fighter, along with being a women who also works at a full time extremely stressful job. I thought that getting away and to de-stress would be perfect and a wonderful way to really celebrate our friendship!
Talking the entire way there, stopping by
Crazy Eric’s to get milkshakes and home made french fries, while we traveled through part of the cute town of
Belfair. The sun was shining, and at every mile that we came closer to getting to the Lodge, we both spotted the sparkling water of the Hood Canal. We felt like we were a million miles away from any of our responsibilities back home.
Pulling up to the Lodge we were greeted by the Valet staff, and they came and grabbed all of our belongings & parked our car. The reception staff was amazing and made sure every detail was met for our girls weekend package. You see there are packages for everything you can think of. These are just a few of the packages that they offer.
Escape to Alderbrook, Golfer's Escape Package, Making Family Memories, Late Checkout Please!, Rekindle Your Passion & a boaters paradise package as well as a few more to try out.
The Girls weekend package that we had, which included, Luxury overnight accommodations, $380 spa credit at the
Spa at Alderbrook (Spa Appointments Required), 4 cocktails or a bottle of wine, Spa gift, extended checkout until 3pm and Valet parking.
Walking into our room was more then either of us expected. The details that they put into this room, just shows how much they think of their guests, elegantly furnished, with all the luxuries you’d want. Our room was immersed in the natural beauty of the Northwest, which reflected in the colors: sage green, chocolate brown, vibrant sunset reds. It made me want to come home and paint the inside of my house.
They had a great selection for a mini bar, an I-pod dock so you could listen to your own music. A 27” television with premium cable, movies on-demand and DVD players. A desk and stationery, a bay window with enough room for two to snuggle up to or a place for one to dive into that book that you can't put down, or just sit and watch the boats go in and out of the canal. I have to say that the high thread count linens and down comforters were by far the most comfortable bedding I have ever slept in outside of my own house.
Then they give you cozy throw blankets to wrap yourself into, that is perfect to use as you sit on your private balcony. The bathroom was beautiful and the lovely Spa amenities for each guest to try like the soap, shampoo, and body lotion were exceptional. Then there is the "to die for" spectacular soaking tub which is the icing on the cake to your room and completes the relaxation part of your stay, where you don't need to even leave your room to feel at ease.
After we could drag ourselves from our beautiful room with our swim suits on we decided to walk around and check out the property, first stop the gift shop with again anything you could think of. Then we were pulled to the dock to check out the beautiful boats. The one I love the most was the
Lady Alderbrook. We had the pleasure of meeting
Dave Wagner the man that takes care of all your boating needs for you. There are kayaks and paddle boats and much more for you to enjoy. Dave makes it easy and exciting to plan an adventure with his company
Hood Canal Adventures.
The two of us decided that we would jump in and swim in the canal, and with the help of Dave
tempting us and telling us that if we were to just jump in, we would be warm!
It was amazing, once we got use to it. I love swimming in the Canal especially when you swim through the heat pockets of warm water, and the belly laughs that the two of us girlfriends shared together with the sun shining as we were splashing around with the beauty of the Resort behind us with the creative and wonderful music of
Biff Moss and his ukulele. His music filled the air for us and as my friend Stephanie said. " It brings me right back to the day's I have spent swimming in the water at Key West, only the water was a little warmer." The music Biff plays can be summed up by saying that his music is a mix of Island beats and rhythms that make you happy and leave you with the feeling of being uplifted. This was just what the Doctor ordered for us as we swam.
After we our dip in the water we went back to our room got changed and headed back down to the out door restaurant where we were able to share a table with a mother and daughter and her beautiful grandson. All along with Biff still playing beautiful songs, even playing my favorite "Some where over the rainbow." It was a perfect evening to spend making new friends, being with your best friend, drinking a little wine and enjoy a great meal. I had the rib's and Steph had the pulled pork, both dishes were mouth watering. All the while listening & enjoying Biff's live music, it was truly just a perfect summer evening.
We decided after dinner to hit the indoor pool, and hot tub then try out the herbal-infused steam room, it was my first time ever being in one. I loved it so much that I wish there were a way to make one at my house. After the trip to the pool area we decided to go back to our room where we were surprised to find the
Movie night package that had a six pack of diet coke ( you can have any soda or beer) a large bucket of buttered popcorn and a chick flick! It was a perfect way to end the night.
The next morning we had Breakfast delivered to our room. (They give you a form to fill out and put on your door before you go to sleep and the meal will be ready to be sent to your room at the time you choose.) I had the most amazing cinnamon roll french toast and Stephanie had the Denver Omelet that she raved over. Once we were done with Breakfast we headed down to the spa. We were met by the
Spa Director Elizabeth, taking time out of her busy
schedule, she showed us around the spa and before any treatments were done on us we were well beyond our way to being relaxed. Escorting us to the quiet relaxation room, where we drank the lemon water and snacked on fruit.
The two of us were lucky enough to be asked to try the
Signature Spa Pedicure Rose Petals in a basin of warm water for my tired and worn out feet. While you are relaxing one foot in the bubbly soak your other foot is being exfoliated then the Shea Butter is applied to a hydrating treatment with moisturizer and paraffin - With a wonderful foot and leg massage that left my feet feeling smooth and rejuvenated. It was the first time that I didn't feel like I was a part of the cattle car and in a big row but a private setting between me and my
therapist, Beth, who made me feel like I was on old friend..... I will happily tell you more in a future article about just the spa, so please stay tuned.
There are so many things that I loved about Alderbrook. I have never gone anywhere that I have ever felt more relaxed or so at peace. They have something for everyone. You can be with your girlfriends for a great
girls weekend like Stephanie and I did, or you can bring your family and enjoy quality time and
smore's kit's where you can use one of the resorts fire pits,
A Golfing adventure with the guys,
A romantic get away for you and the one you love with a
couples massage and a hotel room that is so romantic you might just never want to leave. Whatever it is that you are wanting to do, the Alderbrook has it for you.
You don't have to hop a plane or even drive for hours to get to a wonderful place to enjoy yourself or with your loved ones. Sometimes the best vacations are only a few miles away from home. I know I am looking forward to going back in the thick of the fall and enjoy the stormy weather on the Canal, wrapped in the wonderful throws, enjoy a great book and a glass of wine next to the out door fireplaces.
It is a place where you can go all year long and find something different each visit. One thing you might not know is that you can enjoy a day at the spa and their Restaurants with out staying at the Lodge, but please do yourself a favor and stay the night. One night and you will be wanting to go back again and again.
I had an amazing time and can only hope to be asked to come back again. If you book a stay, please mention Kingstongirl.
